Dreaded Islamic State militant group has appointed a breakaway Taliban commander as its chief in Khurasan, a historic name used by militants for an area covering Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India.
In a video posted online, Islamic State (ISIS) commander Abu Muhammad Al-Adni confirmed the name of former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesperson Hafiz Saeed Khan as the Amir (chief) of the Khurasan, potentially extending the group’s influence into South Asia and challenging Al Qaeda leadership.
Saeed, 42, appeared in a video ten days ago to announce his defection from Taliban. He belongs to Orakzai Agency and has served as head of the Taliban Orakzai tribal region.
Tehreek-e-Taliban is an umbrella movement linked to Al Qaeda headed by Egyptian militant Aiyman al-Zawahiri.Several former Al Qaeda and TTP militants have abandoned their outfits to join the dreaded terrorist group ISIS.